In this article, we look at the 5 most democratic countries in Asia. You can read about corporations that have committed themselves to promoting democracy across the world by heading over to the 20 Most Democratic Countries in Asia, where we have also discussed how countries experience economic growth after transitioning to democracy from non-democracy.
5. Timor-Leste
Average Ranking: 52
Timor-Leste is a tiny island nation in Southeast Asia, located on the island of Timor, with a population of 1.3 million people. It is one of the most thriving democracies in Asia, where election turnouts generally stay around 80%, which is an indication of its political system having wide public acceptance. The country was ranked 45th by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and 59th by V-Dem.
4. Israel
Average Ranking: 37
Israel was ranked 30th and categorized as a flawed democracy by the Economist Intelligence Unit in its Democracy Index 2023. It is the only country in the Middle East and North Africa region to be deemed democratic in the index, with all others being labeled authoritarian. Israel also received high scores on V-Dem’s Democracy Report 2024 for its electoral, liberal, participatory, and deliberative aspects of democracy. The country has a parliamentary form of government, with the prime minister being its head.
3. South Korea
Average Ranking: 34.5
South Korea is the third most democratic country in Asia. It is ranked 22nd in the world on EIU’s Democracy Index 2023, with an improvement of two spots compared to last year, and is 47th on V-Dem’s Democracy Report 2024. The country has a presidential form of democracy with a unicameral legislature. South Korea is one of only three democracies to be categorized as a ‘full democracy’ by the EIU.
2. Japan
Average Ranking: 23
Japan has a parliamentary form of government under a constitutional monarchy. It is the second most democratic country in Asia, and is widely acclaimed for its electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, and political participation. Japan is also among the most world governed countries in the world, and its democratic credentials have consistently been improving since 2015, according to the EIU. The country was ranked 16th most democratic country in the world by EIU and 30th by V-Dem.
1. Taiwan
Average Ranking: 20.5
Taiwan is the most democratic country/region in Asia. The region/country is ranked tenth in the world by the EIU, and received a score of a solid 10 out of 10 for its electoral process and pluralism. Taiwan was also acknowledged for its civil liberties and smooth functioning of the government. It was ranked 31st by V-Dem in its 2024 Democracy Report. The region/country regularly reaffirms its commitment to democracy and freedom, amid political and military pressure from China which claims Taiwan as its own.
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